Chapter 3: What a playboy!

Serena got into her car, feeling somewhat depressed.

When Araminta moved in with Valentina and Josh, Serena suggested that it wouldn't be proper for her to live in the same place with Josh, who was not related to her through blood. Thus, she tried to advise that maybe Josh could move out and live alone.

Yet Alfonso didn't wanna upset Araminta and Valentina, so he hedged.

Serena didn't wanna frustrate Alfonso, so she moved out.

'Now I seem to be the outsider,' Serena thought to herself.

She didn't have to clock in at the studio, so she drove back home directly. Her phone rang and she found herself in a worse mood upon seeing the caller ID.

Taking a deep breath after letting her phone ring for a while, Serena finally picked it up.

"Hello, Mrs. Vanderbilt."

It was Cordelia Vanderbilt, Alexander's mother, on the other end of the line.

Ever since they got married, her high-born and snobbish mother-in-law was never satisfied with her. Serena knew better than to provoke her. Thus, she tried to keep a distance from the Vanderbilt family except for visiting Cornelius from time to time.

"I hope you can come to the Vanderbilt family so we can discuss your divorce face-to-face," Cordelia spoke frankly. She was afraid that Serena would refuse, so she took the lead and said,

"Serena, you should know that you only managed to marry my son because we couldn't resist Cornelius' pressure back then. Now that Alexander has taken over the Vanderbilt family, Cornelius won't mind his business for him.”

Serena understood immediately. Carherine was suggesting that Serena divorce Alexander. 

Cordelia originally thought Serena would cry and make a scene since no woman could bear to let go of such a perfect husband.

But on the phone, Serena responded calmly without any hesitation or emotion, "Okay, should I go there now?"

It was as if Serena had been waiting for the day to come.

Cordelia was somehow offended by Serena's calmness. Though she was eager to see Alexander divorce her, she was expecting a much stronger fightback before that. After all, girls would kill to win her son over.

To make herself feel better, Cordelia snorted coldly. "I'm glad that you agree. You don't deserve Alexander. He deserves someone much better than you. Come over now. I've also called Alexander and he'll be here soon."

Serena paused when she heard that Alexander would be there too. She wondered, 'If he knows that the woman he slept with last night will soon become his ex-wife, what will he do? I'm sure someone as proud as him will be embarrassed.'

Serena chuckled lightly and headed towards Wolfland, the Vanderbilt's villa.

Cordelia looked unhappy when seeing Serena. In fact, she was never happy to see Serena. But since Serena wasn't making a scene, Cordelia didn't find too much fault with her, either.

"Don't blame me for being blunt," Cordelia said while sitting on the sofa after Serena arrived. "You should know what kind of situation your family is in right now."

"Yes, I do," replied Serena. She nodded in agreement.

"A kind reminder for you. Since your dad wasn't born to be a businessman, he'd better give up as soon as possible. The Vanderbilt family can help him once but not twice. Plus, your stepmother is still eyeing my family's position and wealth. You're nothing but a troublemaker. I don't see anything in you at all.

You're just not good enough for him."

"You're right," Serena said calmly without any resistance or argument. All she had with Alexander with the marriage certificate. They were not much different from strangers. The divorce was a relief for her.

Cordelia was upset by Serena's obedience. She didn't feel the joy of winning a battle at all.

Just then, the sound of a car braking outside interrupted.

It was Alexander who had returned home.

Cordelia stood up excitedly and walked towards the door while Serena watched in anticipation, trying to control her nerves despite being mentally prepared to face Alexander already. 

As soon as the car door opened, Cordelia stepped forward but it wasn't Alexander who got out of the car. It was his assistant Jonathan instead, carrying a gift for Cordelia since Alexander had an unexpected appointment and wouldn't be able to make it home for dinner tonight.

When Cordelia called earlier, asking him to come home for dinner, she didn't mention that Serena would also be there because she knew he'd refuse outright if Alexander had known that. After all, he left the country back then right after he knew about marrying her.

He was avoiding meeting Serena.

Cordelia waved goodbye with a hint of disappointment on her face as Jonathan got back into the car.

"I know he's quite occupied... Never mind. just tell him to take care of himself."

Back in the living room, Cordelia felt a little uneasy and waved her hand at Serena. "You can leave now. I'll call you again when he's available."

"Okay." Serena nodded as she never thought about staying for dinner.

She didn't see Jonathan's face, yet she was sure it wasn't Alexander, judging from his back. It didn't matter if they met today. The divorce agreement was already prepared anyway.

She got back into her car, heading to her own place. During a red-light break, Serena glanced at her work group chat. Despite being off work for hours, the group was incredibly active.

"I heard that Alexander is preparing to get married after he comes back. He bought a residence in Manhattan as soon as it went on sale. He has probably started furnishing already?"

"Kevin was Alexander's schoolmate at senior high. Will he get us the opportunity?"

"If we could design Alexander's wedding house, our value would increase by more than 100 times! His personal wealth abroad is enough to rank him among the top few on Forbes' list. As an international top capital operator from the Vanderbilt family, I would kill for a small chat with him!"

Except for a few people in their circle, no one knew that Alexander had already been married.

Even the media never gossiped about it.

Serena wasn't interested in designing his wedding house. Just when she was about to step on the gas pedal, she received a text message from her boss Kevin Clark.

Kevin: Come to the 54 Club. A client was interested in your designs for those villas before. He wants to talk with you personally. 

Serena never meant to enter the industry of interior design.

Originally, she studied painting. During her freshman year of college, she had a chance to design a villa set for one of her classmates which ended up being purchased by an oligarch at ten times its original price. It made her famous overnight.

Afterwards, she accepted the offer from her boss Kevin, and worked part-time as an interior designer in his studio.

As for why it was only a part-time job and she had her own reasons.

After reading the text, Serena turned the steering wheel around.

The 54 Club was the most popular entertainment venue among

New York's new money. It had become a sign of wealth and power.

Upon arriving at the 54 Club entrance, Kevin sent another text.

Kevin: I can't go to pick you up. Mr. Richardson said to have a friend bring you inside. Just wait at the door.

The 54 Club operated on a membership system. Serena didn't have one here and could only wait for someone to take her in.

Meanwhile, Alexander received a call from Raphael Richardson. “Xander, I have a friend I want to introduce to you. She’s waiting outside. Can you bring her in later?”

Raphael glanced at the design in his hand and thought Alexander would like it. Besides, Alexander happened to have bought a residence recently. Raphael knew that his cousin Alexander didn't lack anything but a proper designer was hard to come by.

Raphael said, "This gift I'm giving you will surely meet your expectations."

Alexander didn't even have the chance to reply. The music on Raphael's side was simply too loud, so Alexander didn't really hear what he said.

'What a playboy!’ Alexander couldn't help but think as he hung up the phone. 'But what did he mean by a gift? A prostitute?'

Once Alexander got out of his car and saw a woman standing nearby. He seemed to have confirmed his guess.

As they approached each other closely enough for Alexander to see her face, he realized that it was indeed the woman he had just met in bed earlier that morning.

Alexander's outstanding figure and noble aura were too much of a standout. Even in the 54 Club, where everyone was rich, he could still stand out in his custom-made black suit.

Originally, Alexander found it strange that she left in such a rush this morning. But now he seemed to have figured out the reason.

Probably Raphael had already paid her beforehand.

He asked, "You're the one Raphael mentioned?"

Serena was surprised that Alexander would initiate a conversation with her, and when she heard him mention Raphael, she assumed that it must be Mr. Richardson who Kevin mentioned. So Mr. Richardson's friend was Alexander, and he wanted to introduce her to Alexander? 'Does Mr. Richardson want me to design Alexander's wedding house?' Serena thought.

For a moment, Serena found it funny. Before the divorce was finalized, she, his ex-wife-to-be, was invited to design a wedding house for her ex-husband-to-be and his future wife.

How ironic!

Yet she was not ashamed of supporting her own life with her own skills, so she wouldn't turn down such an offer despite its awkwardness.

"I probably am, Mr. Vanderbilt," Serena replied politely. 

Alexander's eyebrows were cold as if summer couldn't touch them. He looked at Serena with deep eyes and said calmly, “Let’s go.”